It was officially ladies’ night when MC Lyte took the stage to receive the “I Am Hip-Hop Award,” and no one else was more excited for her than her fellow female rappers.

Followed by a video tribute with Queen Latifah, Missy Eliott and Jada Pinkett, rapper Eve handed the award to MC Lyte. “She set the precedent for female freestylers,” Eve said. “I’m truly, truly honored. She has meant so much to me in my career.”

Overall, the female emcees of the 2013 Hip-Hop awards left a powerful message: the game needs more unity, love and respect and the women are leading by example.